National News

Beer created to help pier traders

A new beer has been created to help traders suffering since a devastating fire destroyed part of Eastbourne Pier.

The Long Man Brewery in East Sussex has teamed up with Eastbourne-based Curious Beer Club to support businesses affected by last month's blaze.

All profits up to £10,000 from the sale of the Craft Pier beer will go into a benevolent fund to help firms get back into business.

Jamie Simm, head brewer at the Long Man Brewery, based in Litlington, near Eastbourne, said: "Everyone connected to Eastbourne felt the pain of seeing a fundamental part of our heritage go up in smoke.

"The Curious Beer Club came to us with an idea and we immediately wanted to help."

Mr Simm said they have "tweaked" the recipe of their flagship Long Blonde beer to "create something special" for the pier.

Adam McNaught-Davis, co-founder of the Curious Beer Club, said: "When we heard about the fire we knew we could do something to help, it was just a matter of finding a progressive local brewer."

The fire on July 30 left the dome-shaped amusement arcade near the 144-year-old pier's entrance a scorched shell. Everyone escaped unharmed.

It was initially suspected that an electrical fault could have caused the blaze, but Sussex Police are now treating it as "suspicious". No arrests have been made.